# US 2014/0194906 A1 · Suturing Apparatus and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194906 A1 - Document ID: US20140194906A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/207,188 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2001-10-01 - Assignees: DePuy Mitek, LLC - Applicants: DePuy Mitek, LLC - Inventors: Brad Topper; Thomas Weisel; J. Terry Benson; Brett Bannerman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194906A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/06066: {Needles, e.g. needle tip configurations} - A61B 17/0469: {Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 17/0483: {Hand-held instruments for holding sutures (A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30)} - A61B 17/0625: {the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator (A61B17/06109 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/06042: {located close to needle tip} - A61B 2017/06095: {pliable} - A61B 2017/2837: {with a locking ratchet} - A61B 2017/2845: {with a spring pushing the handle back} - A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. A suture receiver is disposed adjacent to, or integral with, the opposite jaw to help disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-43. (canceled) ### Claim 44 A suturing apparatus, comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to each other; a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and adapted to carry a suture, the needle being movable between a first position wherein the needle is substantially housed within the jaw and a second position wherein a distal portion of the needle protrudes from the first jaw; means for securing the suture in place prior to being carried by the bendable needle; and a suture receiver spaced apart from the first jaw and configured to disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the suture receiver comprises at least one flap. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the suture receiver comprises an elastomeric pad. ### Claim 47 A suturing apparatus, comprising: a first jaw defining an ingress; a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw; a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot; and a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw. ### Claim 48 A suturing apparatus, comprising: a first jaw defining an ingress; a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw; a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot; and wherein the second jaw further comprises an integral suture receiver. ### Claim 49 A method for suturing a piece of tissue, comprising the steps of: securing a suture in place for engagement with a bendable needle; clamping a piece of tissue to be sutured; engaging the suture with the bendable needle; carrying the suture through the piece of tissue with the bendable needle; retracting the bendable needle to release the suture; and retaining the suture with a suture receiver during the step of retracting the bendable needle to release the suture. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein the step of engaging a suture with a bendable needle comprises the step of disposing the suture in a notch formed in the bendable needle, the method further comprising: shaping a distal portion of the bendable needle to prevent the pierced tissue from getting snagged in the notch. ### Claim 51 (depends on 49) The method of claim 49, wherein the step of clamping a tissue to be sutured comprises the step of: capturing the piece of tissue with a first jaw and a second jaw. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of advancing the bendable needle in an axial direction. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The method of claim 52, wherein the step of carrying the suture through the piece of tissue with the bendable needle comprises the step of: bending the bendable needle; and deflecting at least the distal portion of the bendable needle in a direction generally unparallel to the axial direction. ### Claim 54 A suturing apparatus, comprising: a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to each other; a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and adapted to carry a suture, the needle being movable between a first position wherein the needle is substantially housed within the jaw and a second position wherein a distal portion of the needle protrudes from the first jaw; means for securing the suture in place prior to being carried by the bendable needle; and a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw and configured to disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the suture receiver comprises an elastomeric pad. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the suture receiver comprises at least one flap ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the suture receiver comprises a flap elastically deformable by the needle as it moves to the second position ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the flap disengages the suture carried by the bendable needle by returning to its non-deformed state as the needle is moved back to its first position ### Claim 59 A suturing apparatus, comprising: a first jaw defining an ingress; a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw; a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot; and a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the second jaw further comprises an integral suture receiver. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the suture receiver comprises a flap elastically deformable by the passage of the bendable needle. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the flap is removable from the second jaw.